1300.1.55.001 - Statistics News NSW, Mar 2007  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 29/03/2007   
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MESSAGE FROM THE NSW REGIONAL DIRECTOR - IAN EWING

Image: Ian Ewing, Regional Director, ABS NSW

Welcome to the first issue of Statistics News NSW for 2007.

This edition highlights a range of rich new ABS information about life in our state, including use of public transport, household recycling, child employment, work-related injuries and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. In April we plan to release new statistics on Volunteering.

Among the new data are figures showing that 19% of the NSW population regularly use public transport, the highest for any State, however 51% of those who don't use public transport in NSW indicated a lack of a suitable or timely service as the main reason.

We want your help in developing new statistics and statistical methods. Our Service Industry statisticians are planning a survey of miscellaneous industries (hospitality: pubs, bars, taverns; cultural: libraries and museums, and legal practices). We are also developing a new standard statistical geography for Australia to make it easier to compile statistics for regions that are relevant to to-days issues, like water quality, transport and access to housing and jobs. If you are interested in either of these developments, please contact Alan Jenner (on Geography) or Gabrielle Robbie (on Services). Their contact details are provided with the relevant articles.

Finally ABS NSW is pleased to welcome the new Australian Statistician, and ABS Chief, Brian Pink. Brian has previously spent time as Regional Director in Western Australia and understands the important role our state offices play in providing statistical services and supporting the statistical activity of State Governments. In his previous role as chief statistician in New Zealand he championed the concept of a National Statistical Service, and I am sure he will be keen to encourage a close working relationship between the ABS and State Governments.

Contact us here at ABS NSW. We offer a range of services to better inform your decision making.

Ian Ewing